USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 3
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Dr. Davis has been married twice. . In Ohio he wedded Miss Rachel Davis, a descendant of William Penn, who died in Springfield, Illinois. They had three children: Dr. John Scudder Davis, a physician of Chi- cago; Mrs. Millee Tilley ; and Mrs. Eva Hendricks. The Doctor's pres- ent wife was formerly Aletta Brooks, and they have a little son, Ado- niram Davis. Dr. Davis, attaining high rank in his profession, was for many years accounted one of the prominent representatives of the fra- ternity in the north, his reputation extending far beyond the confines of the city and state in which he made his home, and in his business career he has displayed through his investments marked enterprise, keen discrimination and sound judgment in determining property values and so placing his capital that it returns to him a gratifying income.
WILLIAM L. RICHTER, engaged in the bakery business in San An- tonio. and active in local political circles, serving now as a member of the city council, is a native of Staunton, Virginia. His parents were Paul and Emily (Schmidt) Richter, who resided at Staunton for many years, or until 1876. In that city William L. Richter was reared and in the year mentioned came to Texas, residing for about six months in Fred- ericksburg, after which he came to San Antonio, where he has since made his home. He embarked in the bakery business on his own account here in 1882 and for several years was proprietor of the Lone Star Bakery. His business gradually increased with the growth of the city and in 1902
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he erected for its accommodation the Richter Building, which is a hand- some two-story brick building at the junction of South Laredo and Durango streets and Santa Rosa avenue. The Richter bakery is a large establishment, equipped with modern machinery and baking apparatus and is noted for the uniform excellence and high quality of its bread, fancy cakes and pastry-in all of its products enjoying an extensive trade, both wholesale and retail, requiring a large equipment of horses and wagons to deliver the goods. From the beginning the business has proved profit- able and has now reached gratifying proportions, so that it returns a good income to its founder and promoter. His position in the line of business with which he is connected is shown by the fact that he is presi- dent of the Master Bakers' Association of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Mr. Richter is perhaps best known through his prominence in public life. He was elected a member of the city council from the second ward in February, 1897, and has since been a member of that body. He served for three terms as representative of the second ward and was then elected alderman at large, serving for the second term in that position, while he is also the mayor pro tem of the city. He has been a member of the board of equalization ever since he entered the council and has been chair- man of the board during the past six terms. As chairman of the assess- ment board his duties have been very responsible and have been capably performed. He is a public-spirited citizen, always interested in the growth and welfare of San Antonio and because of his activity in political circles as well as in business life deserves mention with the representative men here.
Mr. Richter married in 1882 Miss Emma Solcher, daughter of Henry and Emilie (Roth) Solcher. They had five sons and one daughter : Otto P., Henry L., Rosa F., Herman, Rudolph and August. The first born died in 1907 at the age of twenty-three years.
FREDERICK HADRA, M.D., a distinguished physician and surgeon of San Antonio, whose careful and extended preparation and broad expe- rience have given him capability that removes him from the ranks of the many and places him with the more successful few, was born in Berlin, Germany, August 14, 1867, his parents being Dr. Berthold Ernest and Augusta (Bayer) Hadra. Both the father and mother are of German birth. The former, born in 1842, acquired his medical education in the University of Breslau and Berlin and became a distinguished member of his profession. He served as volunteer surgeon in the war against Austria in 1866 and afterward entered the Prussian Army service as a surgeon. In 1870 he came with his family to Texas, where he spent the remainder of his life, living largely in Austin, San Antonio and Galveston, although his death occurred in Dallas on the 12th of July, 1903. He was a mem- ber of the board of regents of the University of Texas and occupied the chair of surgery in the old Texas Medical College at Galveston. During his residence in San Antonio he served as city physician and his promi- nence in his chosen calling is indicated by the fact that he was president of the State Medical Association for the year of 1899-1900. He was also first vice-president of the Southern Surgical and Gynecological Asso- ciation. The last years of his life were spent in Dallas, where he was in
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active practice up to the time of his death and also occupied the chair of surgery in the Medical College there. He was an earnest and constant student, investigator and writer. His contributions to medical literature were quite voluminous and some of them were very noteworthy, prin- cipally his monographs covering his researches and discoveries of the pelvic organs, abdomen and spine. He also wrote largely on the surgical treatment of epilepsy. He was the first one to devise conservative surgical treatment in the place of öophorectomy, the so-called liberation of the pelvic organs. He was likewise first to propose total eventration of the contents and thorough washing and draining of the abdominal cavity in diffuse peritonitis. His researches and the knowlege which he gained thereby proved of the utmost value to the medical fraternity and he was without invidious distinction regarded as one of the foremost representa- tives of the medical fraternity who have practiced in Texas. Following his death his remains were taken to Austin for interment and there in his eulogy Dr. H. K. Leake said that the deceased was one of the finest characters and one of the most distinguished surgeons of the south.
Dr. Frederick Hadra was provided with excellent educational ad- vantages. He attended Bickler's Academy at Austin and the German- English School at San Antonio. He was a student in the preparatory department in the University of Illinois in 1883-4, attended the Univer- sity of Illinois from 1884 until 1886 and the University of Texas in 1886-7. His professional training was obtained in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of New York in 1887-8 and the Texas Medical College of Galveston from 1888 until 1890, being graduated therefrom in the latter year with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The following three years were spent by Dr. Hadra first as interne and afterward as assistant surgeon in the John Sealey Hospital and in St. Mary's In- firmary at Galveston. He then located for private practice at Orange, Texas, where he remained for five years, and during this time he was surgeon of the First Infantry of Texas Volunteer Guards. Upon the out- break of the Cuban war he volunteered for service as a surgeon and was appointed major and surgeon of the First Texas Cavalry, U. S. V., on May 9, 1898. Going to Cuba he was made assistant surgeon in the Fifth Infantry and as such served during the yellow fever epidemic and was himself a sufferer of that disease in July. 1898 After the evacua- tion of Cuba he was transferred for service in the Philippines, where he became captain and assistant surgeon of the Thirty-third Infantry, U. S. V., on July 19, 1899, and on the 30th of March, 1901, he was made major and surgeon of the United States Volunteers, in which position he con- tinued to serve in the Philippines until February 1, 1903, when he resigned from the army. While in service in southern Luzon, Dr. Hadra was with the Thirty-third United States Volunteer Infantry on the expedi- tion that resulted in the capture of Aguinaldo's wife, son, and secretary of state, and later was the only surgeon with Colonel Luther Hare who con- ducted one of the most notable expeditions in the history of the American army,-the one that resulted in the rescue from captivity of Lieutenant Gilmore of the navy and twenty-two prisoners in northern Luzon, this expedition lasting from December 9, 1899, until January 3, 1900. Dr. Hadra was also surgeon of the landing party which captured San Fabian
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on the IIth of November, 1899, was field surgeon at the battle of San Jacinto, fought by the Thirty-third United States Volunteer Infantry in command of Colonel Hare. He was also field surgeon of the troops composed of detachments of the Thirty-third United States Cavalry, the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Volunteer Infantry at the battle of Tag- nadin Pass, December 4, 1899. These are some of the more important events among numerous ones that gave Dr. Hadra a remarkably interest- ing and valuable experience.
After returning from the Philippines Dr. Hadra located for private practice in San Antonio and is now devoting his time exclusively as a specialist in the diseases of the skin and genito-urinary organs and rectal diseases. He is a member of the County, District, State and American Medical Associations and is also a member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. He belongs to the Sigma Chi, a college fraternity, is a member of the board of directors of the Scientific Society and San Antonio Club. While living at Orange Dr. Hadra was married to Miss Laura Gilmer, a daughter of Alexander Gilmer, a prominent lam- ber manufacturer of that city.
He is held in highest esteem, regard and affection by his old asso- ciates in the army, including officers and enlisted men alike, because of his skillful and unselfish devotion to duty, while in active service with the troops. He is yet a young man, having attained success which places him in the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity in Texas and his abil -- ity, laudable ambition and determination argue well for a successful future.
M. G. RANNEY, a real estate dealer of San Antonio, was born in Guadalupe county, Texas, in 1857, his parents being the Rev. R. H. and Melvina (Mills) Ranney. The father was born in the state of New York and the mother in Canada. He came to Texas in 1855 and located in Guadalupe county, where he lived until 1869, when he removed to Galveston, which city remained his home until his death, which occurred in 1877. During the active period of his life he was a clergyman in the Episcopal church and his influence was of no restricted order.
During his boyhood days M. G. Ranney was often in San Antonio and well remembers the small limitations and the primitive appearance of the town in those days. He did not see the city for many years after re- moving to Galveston in 1869 and was surprised and delighted with its growth upon his return here. He acquired the greater part of his educa- tion in Galveston and then entered upon real estate dealing. Since his young manhood he has been engaged largely in land operations in South- ern and Southwestern Texas and is probably as familiar with this country as any man in it. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning the possibilities and resources of the state, has kept in touch with land values and the fluctuation in prices, has noted the steady rise of property and has done much to develop and improve his section. He has labored earnestly to advertise the resources of Southern and Southwestern Texas, having spent much time and money in this work, for which he has re- ceived no direct return. He was one of the organizers in 1896 of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Immigration Association, which was organ- ized to bring people to Southern and Southwestern Texas principally along the lines of the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway. Thus his
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LL Shropshire
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efforts have resulted in much good in settling up the country and building new points along the line of that road. The result of his work covering several years together with that of other men similarly engaged is best seen now when immigration from the north and east is coming into this part of Texas faster than ever before and the great ranches are being subdivided into small farms, under a high state of cultivation, making this a populous and thriving agricultural and stock-raising district.
For several years Mr. Ranney had his headquarters at Yoakum in Dewitt county, which is one of the prosperous and thriving new towns built on the line of the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad. Since 1888, however. he has made his home in San Antonio as much as at any other place in this territory and in fact is a familiar figure in this part of the state, making numerous and extended trips in Texas in the interests of the land business and the development of the commonwealth. In De- cember, 1904, he removed his family to San Antonio, where he made a permanent location and now maintains an office, in which he is carrying on the land business.
Mr. Ranney was married in Galveston, Texas, to Miss Florida Cas- seady and they have two daughters, Florida and Marie Gertrude Ranney. Already they have gained many warm friends in the city where they have recently taken up their abode. While not caring for politics Mr. Ranney while making his headquarters at Yoakum was drawn into political circles by reason of his extensive acquaintance and the confidence reposed in him and for a time acted as chairman of the tenth congressional district for the Democratic party. He has always preferred, however, to concen- trate his energies and abilities upon his business affairs and therein has met gratifying success. He belongs to that class of representative citi- zens who while promoting their individual prosperity also advance the general good and he deserves much credit for what he has done in con- nection with the settlement and improvement of Southern and South- western Texas.
LEVINGSTON L. SHROPSHIRE. M. D., physician and surgeon of San Antonio, was born at LaGrange, Fayette county, Texas, his parents being Judge Benjamin and Georgiana (Lindsay) Shropshire. The former, a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, came to Texas in 1850, settling at LaGrange, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1867. Throughout his entire life he devoted his attention to the practice of law and was a prominent member of the Texas bar in early days and was serving as judge of the district court at the time of his death. He was a lawyer of wide erudition and upon the bench his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, and he displayed a thorough knowledge of the prin- ciples of jurisprudence and of precedents. His wife, also a native of Kentucky, was a daughter of Judge Levingston Lindsay, who was born in Kentucky and came to Texas at an early period in the development of the Lone Star state and rose to distinction, becoming one of the most noted jurists of Texas. He is best remembered perhaps as judge of the supreme court, having been appointed to the bench by Governor Edmund J. Davis. He served for thirteen years in that exalted position and while on the bench rendered many important decisions, so that his name was inseparably interwoven with the judicial history of the state. His daugh-
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ter, Mrs. Shropshire, also spent her last days in LaGrange. A brother of the Doctor is Judge Shropshire, a prominent member of the Texas bar living in Fort Worth.
Dr. Shropshire acquired his elementary education in the local schools and afterward attended Trinity University, which was then located at Tehuacana, Texas, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1876. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he pursued his first regular course of study at Bellevue Medical College in New York and further continued his preparation for practice as a student in Tulane University, at New Orleans, from which he was graduated in 1885. His first practice was at Brownwood, Texas, and in 1887 he came to San Antonio, where he has since resided. Ambitious to attain a high degree of proficiency in his profession he has pursued several post- graduate courses, principally in the New York Polyclinic, and is a thor- oughly equipped and successful physician and surgeon. He is a member of the Bexar County and State Medical Societies and the American Medi- cal Association.
By his first wife Dr. Shropshire had three children, Mollie, Augusta and Levingston Lindsay, Jr. In October, 1905, Dr. Shropshire married his present wife, formerly Miss Agnes James, a sister of Judge John James, chief justice of the court of civil appeals and a daughter of John James, a prominent pioneer who came to San Antonio in 1837 and re- sided here for forty years, or until his death on the 26th of November, 1877
The pre-eminence of San Antonio is due not only to the men of light and leading who controlled her affairs in the early days but even more to those whom she is constantly attracting from other cities. In 1887 Dr. Shropshire came to San Antonio. Those who knew him never doubted that his former achievements would be surpassed in a larger field and soon this occurred and as the years have gone by he has maintained a foremost place as a representative of the medical fraternity, bringing into requisition all the strong intellectual forces with which nature en- dowed him and devoting his energies to his work with a persistency and capability that have made him a foremost representative of his profes- sion here.
NICHOLAS FLORY, now living retired at his home in San Antonio, was for more than forty years actively and successfully engaged in com- mercial pursuits in this city. He was born at Antibes, France, on the Mediterranean Sea, near Nice, April 30, 1829. He emigrated to the new world in 1850, and landing in New York, there remained until early in the following year, when he came to Texas, being employed by the Ameri- can commission under Colonel William Emory, which in conjunction with a similar commission from the Mexican government fixed the interna- tional boundary in the adjustment succeeding the Mexican war. Prior to the war Mr. Flory had established a mercantile enterprise in San Antonio, and after his work in connection with governmental interests was com- pleted, he again took up his abode in San Antonio, where he resumed business as a merchant. His first establishment was located on Market street, which was then the main thoroughfare in the city. Later he re- moved his store to South Laredo street, near Military Plaza, becoming one
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of the leading merchants of the city, being connected with mercantile in- terests for over forty years. He carefully managed his business affairs, for he possessed excellent ability, so that his patronage grew to be very extensive and he was one of the leading factors in the business circles of the city. During his long connection with business affairs he won a very gratifying and desirable competence, so that he was at length enabled to retire from all business connection and for the past few years has lived retired in a comfortable home in this city, surrounded by many friends as well as all the comforts which go to make life worth living. In addi- tion to providing a comfortable home for himself and family, he has like- wise been enabled to afford his children excellent educational facilities. His residence at No. 213 South Laredo street has been the home of the family for more than a half century.
Mr. Flory was married in 1861, in San Antonio, to Miss Caroline Muller, a native of Alsace. She accompanied her parents to this city when twelve years of age, and acquired her education at the old Ursuline Convent on Augusta street. She recalls many incidents in connection with the early history of this city, and has vivid recollection of being present at the dedicatory services of St. Mary's church. To Mr. Flory and wife have been born two sons and two daughters, and the sons were educated at St. Mary's College, a noted institution of this city. The family record is as follows: Joseph Flory, the eldest son, is a member of the Alamo Commission Company of San Antonio, and for many years has been connected with the commercial and public life of this city. In the spring of 1906 he was one of the nominees for a member of the board of education of San Antonio but owing to political complications denying him representation on the proper ticket, he was defeated by a very small majority. Edward E. Flory, to whom we are indebted for the material furnished for this sketch, was reared to commercial life. He wedded Miss Minnie S. Smith, who died in San Antonio, July 7, 1903. She was a representative of a prominent pioneer family of this city, being a daugh- ter of the late Samuel Sidney Smith, who was county clerk of Bexar county for thirty-seven years. When he first entered the office Bexar county extended to El Paso. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Brackett, and was a daughter of Oscar B. Brackett, a noted pioneer and frontiersman of Texas, and it was in his honor that Brackettsville was named. Mrs. Flory was also descended in the maternal line from other noted ancestry, notably General Asa Danforth, a distinguished American officer in the Revolutionary war, and of General Thaddeus W. Wood of the war of 1812. Both families were originally from the state of Massa- chusetts, but following the war became prominent in the Onondaga valley of New York. The third member in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Flory is Mary, who is now the wife of A. G. Castanola, a prominent wholesale merchant and scion of a family that represents one of the oldest mercan- tile establishments in the city. Louise Caroline Flory, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Ferdinand LaCoste, a native of France. He came to San Antonio in 1878, becoming an employe of his uncle, the well known J. B. LaCoste, now deceased, who was the founder of the San An- tonio waterworks system and the pioneer ice manufacturer of this city.
The Flory family are prominent in the social circles of San Antonio and are numbered among its worthy and highly esteemed residents.
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PEDRO BATISTA, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and sur- gery in San Antonio, was born in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, about ninety miles from Havana, in 1849. His parents were Spanish people, born in the Canary Islands, but long residents of Cuba. The Doctor was sent from Cuba to the Canaries to receive his education and after com- pleting his more specifically literary course he studied medicine in the Colegio de San Carlos of Madrid, Spain, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1874. Returning to his native country, he spent two years as surgeon in the field for the Spanish army during the revolu- tion of 1875-6.
Soon afterward Dr. Batista went to New York city, where he en- gaged in practice for several years, or until 1882, when he came to San Antonio, where he has since made his home, being constantly and suc- cessfully engaged as a practitioner of medicine and surgery. He remains in general practice, not caring to make a specialty of any one line, yet has achieved marked proficiency in gynecology and for five years was a part- ner of the late Dr. Wilke, of San Antonio, a distinguished gynecologist.
The requirements for admission to the medical profession in Cuba are notably rigid, so that the physicians of that country possess superior ability and skill. Dr. Batista is no exception to the rule and on the con- trary his proficiency is widely acknowledged and his broad and compre- hensive learning are recognized by the fraternity as well as the general public. He is now a member of the County, State and American Medical associations and he is the author of considerable valuable medical litera- ture. Of late years, however, he has written largely along philosophical lines, having ever been a deep student and thinker concerning philosophi- cal questions since his college days. He has prepared for publication a pamphlet which is entitled, "What We Are, Where We Are and Where We Are Going," and in a general way he takes great interest in the schools of philosophy as represented by Herbert Spencer and Charles Darwin.
In business life, aside from his profession, Dr. Batista is a partner in the Saenz Drug & Printing Company combined, whose establishment is at the corner of South Laredo and Nueva streets. This business was established in 1905 with Jose Saenz and Dr. Batista as partners, and the enterprise has since been successfully conducted.
The Doctor was married after coming to San Antonio to Miss Trini- dad Sandoval, of the well known Sandoval family of this county, and they have two children, Pedro and Luis Batista.
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